Question: what difference does it make if you visit the same place twice? Answer: all the difference.

After my trip to Southern China, I took a few trips to some of China’s classics: Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xi’an. In 2013, I went on a 10-day trip to four cities (these three plus Beijing), making this my second time in each of these places.

Some travelers are opposed to seeing the same place twice, particularly if both trips occur within a short time frame. “Why waste your time on the same place when there is so much else to see in the world?” they’ll say. If living in Beijing has taught me anything, it’s this: you will never fully know a city.

Maybe if you’ve lived there for 5+ years, sure, but cities are so unique and have minds of their own that are just begging for you to keep coming back. Seeing a city for a second time can make you think about how differently you see it now, which can evolve into introspection about how you like to travel, what kind of places appeal to you, and how you personally are different from your last trip. Travel AND self-reflecting? What more could you need? Besides xiaolongbao (小笼包) and some good ol’ xihongshi chao jidan (西红柿炒鸡蛋) (shockingly, both are food).

So, as always, I turned my ears away from the normal recommendations and set out to see for myself.

Shanghai (上海)

In 2013: 8/10

In 2014: 8/10

I liked Shanghai the first time around, and I’d say I liked it equally as much the second time around. But the coolest part? I didn’t see the same thing twice.

Shanghai in 2013, a 3-day organized tour, consisted of a fancy hotel, night cruise on the river, rooftop bars, a visit to the Shanghai Museum and Urban Planning Exposition, and staring up at the massive pearl tower (the tall, pointy pink thing).

Shanghai in 2014, an 18-hour borderline-insane expedition, consisted of an adorable hostel, some back-alley bars, the French Concession, antique markets, People’s Square, a huge touristy shopping street, a daytime view of the Bund, and some exquisite dumplings (小笼包, to be exact).

Both trips were enjoyable, and both were incredibly different. In combination, they gave me an excellent taste of Shanghai. It’s a city that I’d enjoy going back to someday since there is still more to see, but in my opinion, Shanghai isn’t a good representation of what real China is like. It’s extremely international in its population and offerings, making it what some would call “fake” China. I’m a bit Beijing-biased, though, so maybe that’s just me. Regardless, here are some pictures from my recent trip to this cool city!

Hangzhou (杭州)

In 2013: 8/10

In 2014: 4/10

It’s always an interesting case where you return to a place and find you like it less than you used to. Hangzhou was, unfortunately, ruined for me this year. Its main attraction is West Lake, which is undeniably beautiful. However, when I visited this year, the lake was incredibly packed with Chinese tourists with all amenities being incredibly over-priced. Another factor in my dislike of the city: the taxis.

They weren’t dirty or unpleasant, but they were impossible to catch. Since there is no tipping in China, service-minded companies are somewhat nonexistent in all situations, but this was to an extreme. When trying to catch a taxi, drivers would pull over and ask you where you want to go. After telling them, 99% of the time, they would drive away simply because they didn’t feel like taking you to your destination. With my parents, we couldn’t even catch a taxi in the taxi cue at our hotel. They’d just drop someone off and drive away immediately! When taxis are the only way to get around after the subway closes for the night, you have to be able to depend on them.

Regardless, Hangzhou is still very beautiful and even though I won’t be returning anytime soon (or ever), here are some pictures!

Xi’an (西安)

In 2013: 8/10

In 2014: 9/10

Xi’an holds a special place in my heart. It feels like China, or moreso like the China you’d expect to see during your first time in the country. Xi’an is charming because of its large Muslim population–a minority in China, and in a country where 90% of its 1.3 billion people are of the same ethnicity, any type of minority is a pleasant change. Similar to my second time in Shanghai, I saw no two things twice.

Xi’an in 2013 was an organized tour to the famous Terracotta Soldiers and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, tandem biking along the City Wall, and a dumpling dinner/cultural show. Xi’an in 2014 was two days of exploration among the Muslim Quarter and mosque, quaint street-strolling, street food, markets, and Hua Shan, one of the 5 holy Chinese peaks (which was awesome enough to deserve its own post).

The first Xi’an I saw was cool, but the second Xi’an was even cooler. It said to me “Hey, know that you’ve seen my famous side, now I can show you what I’m really all about.” Tourist attractions are cool and all, but I’ve learned to appreciate cities more for what they really are than their tourist attractions. Check out some photos from one of my favorite cities so far!

The Moral of the Story

Just when you think you know something, it can turn around and surprise you–for better or for worse. These trips have changed my perspective on repetitive travel, which I couldn’t be more excited about.

I’m opting nowadays for more time in Beijing rather than frequent China travel, but check out my remaining plans for the rest of the semester! T-minus 60 days…

Mid-December: Nanjing and Mt. Huangshan or Qingdao, Mt. Taishan, and the rest of Shandong province
New Years: Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge with my brother (Yunnan province)
Mid-January: America bound!